Maryland Sniper Shootings Update Thread

CNN, Fox, Local Radio and Television | October 8, 2002 | CNN, Fox, Breaking News

[Peach]

It's 6:30 a.m. EST and we're waiting to go to the second press conference providing media and local updates on the Maryland sniper shootings. To date, the 13 year old boy has survived the evening and seems to be improving. Fox News mentioned that his aunt is a nurse. The police briefing at 6:15 a.m. mentioned Todd Beamer's Let's Roll comment and police are urging people to use caution, good judgment, but remain strong and try to continue with everyday life as much as possible.

Police had a search warrant last night (didn't say for who or where) related to the sniper shootings, but the search did not provide any information to LEO.

[ET(end tyranny)]

If we're to listen to the so-called expert profilers, it's probably a guns & ammo magazine. If we listen to a lot of the common sense analysis here, it's probably the Koran

When I heard about the book, a few things came to mind. What was the book McVey had (can't recall the title), Qu'ran, Guns & Ammo (because the profilers and posters keep mentioning it) and for some reason Catcher in the Rye (because of Hinkley).

[riri]

Interesting that he has stopped shooting for the time being. Doesn't appear to want to get caught. I'd be curious to know the ethnicity of the person's whose home they took the book, computer, etc, from.

[dogbyte12]

I am honestly baffled why there haven't been 5 two man teams of Al Quaida terrorists simultaneously attacking say the busiest malls in New York, LA, Chicago, D.C. and the mall of america with automatics during the peak of foot traffic. They could literally kill 100's, if they did diagonal fire across the food courts as a team.

[The Other Harry]

Was he also Affirmative Action materiel?

I'm late in this thread, but...

I am sick and tired of this racist stuff. We don't need it. It isn't helping us, and it isn't honest.

[aristeides]

If you're right, it's time to intern and deport.

[aristeides]

Book McVeigh had was the Turner Diaries, I believe.

[Diana Rose]

Turner Diaries?

[browardchad]

If it were me, I'd be looking at all men in Maryland who got hunting licenses recently, canvassing all stores which sell .223 rounds, and cross-referencing with all people with white vans.

Too narrow -- it would have to include surrounding states, and that, of course, wouldn't even cover a stolen/unregistered weapon that hasn't been reported. The perp isn't wasting a lot of shots, so new ammo wouldn't seem to be an issue. I also doubt the perp(s) is still driving a white van/truck -- if they ever did.

The Washington Post this morning reports that police dogs have probably found the location of the shooter in the DC killing: behind a decorative wall on church property (lovely symbolism). If it's the same type of wall that you normally see, it's not large enough to hide a vehicle, and if it is, a driver would call attention to the vehicle by pulling up directly behind it. What it seems to indicate is that the perp is not necessarily shooting from within a vehicle, as was assumed in Montgomery County. He may have changed his tactics, or may have been out of the vehicle in all cases.

[dasher]

***Then it doesn't give us any clues as to the number of rifles used by the 2 (IMO) teens/young adults***

Correct, at this point in time they are keeping any real good information from the press because it will be broadcasted to the shooter. They might not even have any good hard information except for ballistic matches. Everything you read or hear is pure speculation, we won't know until the guy is caught red handed.

If this guy is smart he'll be waiting until things die down a little before trying it again. Don't be suprised if he picks up and moves his operation entirely or just never does it again for a very long time. If it just stops, it points more toward a home grown wacko since a terrorist would be more likely to move to a new location. If this guy has a job and a regular life in the area he probably won't change locations unless he's ready to go out in a blaze of glory.

I just hope they can find more dirt on the guy and quickly. I hate to see senseless loss of life and the propoganda machine firing up to take more of my rights away.

[Peach]

I don't know either whether it's homegrown or an Islamanazi. In a perverse sort of way I hope it is not homegrown. Until another terror attack of some sort, so many people will just not take seriously the danger we are in from sleeper cells. Additionally, I'll have to keep the television off if it's homegrown - the media types will be too obnoxious to listen to.

[ET(end tyranny)]

No, I didn't hear that question, but noticed this in regards to a different question yesterday.

[r9etb]

Clark was shooting at the bad guys though

But these are nutjobs. They can make their own definition of "bad guy." They may well enjoy the thrill of being the bad guy, sowing terror among the sheep.

My biggest problem with the analyses I've seen is this insistence on elaborate planning and training. There's no reason to assume this. The only time these are necessary is if you've picked specific targets, and a specific escape route. Once you do away with those, the whole problem is immeasurably simplified.

[Dead Dog]

The only homegrown nutjobs that run around shooting people at random have liberals for parents. Those types have NEVER shown the skill or discipline these guys have.

[The Other Harry]

Would it ever occur to you that a Black man, maybe even a concerned and thoughtful one, might come at this issue from a different perspective than you do?

Please keep hammering away. Sooner or later, they will figure it out. Sooner would be good.

[OReilly]

...to block roads within a reasonable circumference of the next shooting? Allowing no exit or entrance while the search is conducted.

Let's assume this is Play #10...

Let's assume the federal authorities are waiting at airports on runway alert in helicopters (it wouldn't take too may helos to block roads with armed troops as soon as the next incident occurs.

There just isn't that many roads to block, if they can respond fast enough.

But let's remember, the guy may have a mole (maybe unwitting) in the police force. He seems to be at least a step ahead of them at every turn and was really in their face at the Glenmont Station.

[riri]

the guy may have a mole (maybe unwitting) in the police force.

Or in the mayor's office.

[Elenya]

Of course, if they had two rifles, I would think they would both be shooting one cooridinated shot, resulting in two kills with one "noise problem". Makes sense right? One noise (noise being the biggest part of getting caught) and two kills.

I'm not sure I understand. I meant even if they each have their own rifle, they wouldn't be shooting the same people because one would have to be doing the driving while the other one shoots.

Also by teens, I mean older teens or very young adults. To me it would shed more light on the shooting of the young boy.

[Peach]

I am sick and tired of this racist stuff. We don't need it. It isn't helping us, and it isn't honest

Agreed. Unfortunately, the spokespeople for the police haven't been particularly well spoken and thus the observations. However, I know I wouldn't be well spoken either faced with cameras, a hostile press, after sleepless nights - but it doesn't mean these individuals aren't good at what they do. Not catching the shooter doesn't mean the LEO's aren't good either - this guy just may be better.

[ET(end tyranny)]

In a free society, the job of the police ought to be difficult It should take a great deal of effort to strip a person of their precious liberty. The police should have a very hard time convincing judges and juries to fine, imprison, or execute someone.

In a free society citizens ought to be willing to work with LE to help keep it a free and safe society, instead of striving to make the job of LE 'difficult. jmo